1
2
as in chooses
to decide upon (the time or date for an event) usually from a position of authority
set a date for the wedding
Synonyms & Similar Words
3
as in values
to make an approximate or tentative judgment regarding
fire losses were set at a million dollars
Synonyms & Similar Words
4
5
as in aims
to point or turn (something) toward a target or goal
determined to see the West, she set her car towards the sun and drove off
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
6
as in decides
to come to an agreement or decision concerning the details of
finally set some plans for the luncheon
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
7
as in secures
to put securely in place or in a desired position
had the jeweler set the diamond again
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
8
as in gels
to turn from a liquid into a substance resembling jelly
the gelatin is just starting to set now
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
9
as in puts
to arrange something in a certain spot or position
set a book on the table
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
10
as in freezes
to become physically firm or solid
the concrete must set completely before anyone can walk on it
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
1
as in factions
a group of people acting together within a larger group
the younger set is less likely to volunteer for the church's annual rummage sale
Synonyms & Similar Words
2
as in packs
a group of people sharing a common interest and relating together socially
they rarely associate with anyone outside their social set
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
3
as in clusters
a number of things considered as a unit
a set of tools
Synonyms & Similar Words
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
4
as in types
one of the units into which a whole is divided on the basis of a common characteristic
the next set of job applicants had far more education and practical experience
Synonyms & Similar Words
5
as in decors
the array of painted backgrounds and furnishings used to establish the setting in a stage production
built sets for the play
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Recent Examples of sets
Dan Pompei, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
One aspect that sets this group apart from others is its focus on civic engagement and educating members on local government.
—Hannah Elsmore, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Jan. 2026
The Classified Information Procedures Act (CIPA) sets rules for how defendants can use classified evidence in court and can lengthen the pretrial process.
—Joe Hernandez, NPR, 6 Jan. 2026
After successfully training rookie Jackson West, Angela sets her sights on becoming a detective while trying to ignore her obvious chemistry with defense attorney Wesley Evers (Shawn Ashmore).
—Tanya Melendez, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Jan. 2026
Don’t be afraid to praise good work — doing so sets a tone that turns routine collaboration into something people enjoy.
—Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 6 Jan. 2026
The federal government sets standards for drug testing 14 million people.
—Lucas Waldron, ProPublica, 6 Jan. 2026
Anthropic, which is also thought to be prepping for an IPO and sets itself apart from OpenAI by its tighter spending and model efficiency, earned a price tag of up to $350 billion in a November round backed by Microsoft and Nvidia .
—Tasmin Lockwood, CNBC, 6 Jan. 2026
So, the city — like many places — sets a time limit.
—Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 6 Jan. 2026
Alex Ritman, Variety, 9 Nov. 2025
All in all, four sets of tickets were auctioned off for a total of $180,000.
—Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 9 Nov. 2025
The shoes also come packaged with two standard sets of boot laces.
—Riley Jones, Footwear News, 8 Nov. 2025
One 4-foot-11 Amazon shopper even raved that the pants were the perfect length on their petite frame, proving that not all matching sets are made equal.
—Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 8 Nov. 2025
Big cost spikes came during the pandemic, when shoppers raced to buy desks for home offices and patio sets, and shipping costs soared.
—Alina Selyukh, NPR, 7 Nov. 2025
Some intricate sets adults put together can cost hundreds of dollars.
—Betty Lin-Fisher, USA Today, 7 Nov. 2025
So when the teams met in the CIF Division 5-AA championship match Thursday at MiraCosta College and Mountain Empire won the first two sets, the Falcons made one strategic move — do nothing.
—Tim Meehan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Nov. 2025
Through Saturday, over 60 Lego sets are 40 percent off, including builds from Wicked, Harry Potter, Star Wars, and Disney.
—Shea Simmons, PEOPLE, 7 Nov. 2025
Verb
Wide receiver Keon Coleman, who apparently doesn’t know how to use the app that sets alarms, has been benched by McDermott for three games and for the first series of another game.
—Dan Pompei, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026
One aspect that sets this group apart from others is its focus on civic engagement and educating members on local government.
—Hannah Elsmore, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Jan. 2026
The Classified Information Procedures Act (CIPA) sets rules for how defendants can use classified evidence in court and can lengthen the pretrial process.
—Joe Hernandez, NPR, 6 Jan. 2026
After successfully training rookie Jackson West, Angela sets her sights on becoming a detective while trying to ignore her obvious chemistry with defense attorney Wesley Evers (Shawn Ashmore).
—Tanya Melendez, Entertainment Weekly, 6 Jan. 2026
Don’t be afraid to praise good work — doing so sets a tone that turns routine collaboration into something people enjoy.
—Tarot.com, Chicago Tribune, 6 Jan. 2026
The federal government sets standards for drug testing 14 million people.
—Lucas Waldron, ProPublica, 6 Jan. 2026
Anthropic, which is also thought to be prepping for an IPO and sets itself apart from OpenAI by its tighter spending and model efficiency, earned a price tag of up to $350 billion in a November round backed by Microsoft and Nvidia .
—Tasmin Lockwood, CNBC, 6 Jan. 2026
So, the city — like many places — sets a time limit.
—Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 6 Jan. 2026
Noun
Beyond the immersive sets, guests can take part in a special Pixar Ball Treasure Hunt, searching for the famous yellow ball with a red star hidden throughout the exhibition — a nod to the Easter egg that appears in many Pixar films.
—Alex Ritman, Variety, 9 Nov. 2025
All in all, four sets of tickets were auctioned off for a total of $180,000.
—Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 9 Nov. 2025
The shoes also come packaged with two standard sets of boot laces.
—Riley Jones, Footwear News, 8 Nov. 2025
One 4-foot-11 Amazon shopper even raved that the pants were the perfect length on their petite frame, proving that not all matching sets are made equal.
—Chaise Sanders, Travel + Leisure, 8 Nov. 2025
Big cost spikes came during the pandemic, when shoppers raced to buy desks for home offices and patio sets, and shipping costs soared.
—Alina Selyukh, NPR, 7 Nov. 2025
Some intricate sets adults put together can cost hundreds of dollars.
—Betty Lin-Fisher, USA Today, 7 Nov. 2025
So when the teams met in the CIF Division 5-AA championship match Thursday at MiraCosta College and Mountain Empire won the first two sets, the Falcons made one strategic move — do nothing.
—Tim Meehan, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Nov. 2025
Through Saturday, over 60 Lego sets are 40 percent off, including builds from Wicked, Harry Potter, Star Wars, and Disney.
—Shea Simmons, PEOPLE, 7 Nov. 2025
Recent Examples of Synonyms for sets
Verb
-
By then, showrunner-auteur Lear had parlayed the All in the Family base camp into a virtual multiverse of spin-offs (Maude, The Jeffersons) and spawns (Sanford and Son).—
Thomas Doherty,
HollywoodReporter,
29 Dec. 2025
-
What sets the game apart is its AI engine, which spawns countless non-player characters (NPCs) with unique storylines and characteristics.—
Angelica Ang,
Fortune,
3 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
In this world, inflation isn’t a bug, but a feature of how the Fed chooses to balance the crisis.—
Eva Roytburg,
Fortune,
5 Jan. 2026
-
Directors chooses three candidates from their district to create the 21-member cohort, who will learn about the local water system and the agency’s projects through webinars and tours of water infrastructure.—
Anne Gelhaus,
Mercury News,
4 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Young stars like Nicolò Barella, Federico Chiesa, and Gianluca Scamacca bring energy and creativity to a squad that still values tactical intelligence and grit.—
Ben Verbrugge,
MSNBC Newsweek,
6 Nov. 2025
-
The 5-foot-10, 185-pound defensive back is known for his versatility — something defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero values highly.—
Alex Zietlow
November 5,
Charlotte Observer,
5 Nov. 2025
Verb
-
Per its Sotheby's auction listing, scrolls of diamonds are interrupted by sparkling floral motifs, while a romantic heart emblem sits at the center.—
Bailey Bujnosek,
InStyle,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The city, which sits just north of Indianapolis, was ranked the best place to live in the Midwest, according to a report from Livability, which focuses on small-to-medium sized cities.—
Opheli Garcia Lawler,
Travel + Leisure,
8 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Immediately after the Honda shifts from reverse into drive and begins to move ahead, that agent at the front of the vehicle, standing near the driver’s side headlight, pulls out a gun and aims at the driver.—
Devon Lum,
Twin Cities,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The company says the system aims to tackle persistent challenges in the hospitality industry, including labor shortages, inconsistent drink quality, and long service times.—
Neetika Walter,
Interesting Engineering,
7 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
And while Elliott would like to see Nielsen as the next CEO, if the board decides on someone else who is equally qualified, Elliott will support that decision.—
Kenneth Squire,
CNBC,
10 Jan. 2026
-
Georgia grows tired of her husband and their nightly trips to the fancy French restaurant and decides to have an affair with another man at another table (Alan Howard).—
Diane J. Cho,
PEOPLE,
9 Jan. 2026
Verb
-
Underneath the soft fleece exterior is a plastic internal support that aligns and secures your neck and head to prevent bobbing.—
Izzy Baskette,
PEOPLE,
8 Jan. 2026
-
The Pisces moon teaming up with Mars secures the path.—
USA TODAY,
USA Today,
25 Dec. 2025
Verb
-
The driver then puts vehicle in drive, dragging officer about 100 yards with his arm inside the car.—
Nicole Sganga,
CBS News,
8 Jan. 2026
-
Tonga has missed the past three games, which puts his availability for Sunday’s Wild Card showdown with the Chargers in significant doubt.—
Andrew Callahan,
Boston Herald,
8 Jan. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Sets.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/sets. Accessed 12 Jan. 2026.
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